Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in gastric cancer patients: a potential biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic utility.

BACKGROUND: The nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) is suggested to have an oncogenic role in several tumors based on its overexpression. However, its diagnostic and prognostic role in gastric cancer remains unclarified. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of NAP1L1 in gastric cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 85 patients [mean (SD) age: 60.9 (1.6) years, 49.4% were males] with newly-diagnosed gastric cancer and 40 healthy individuals [mean (SD) age: 60.7 (1.7) years, 52.5% were males] were included. Data on patient demographics (age, gender), TNM stages and tumor size, and the serum NAP1L1 levels were recorded. RESULTS: Serum NAP1L1 levels were significantly higher in gastric cancer patients than in control subjects [12 (9.5-13.8) vs. 1.8 (1.5-2.4) ng/mL, p < 0.001]. Also, certain tumor characteristics such as tumor size of >4 vs. <4 cm (p < 0.001), M1 vs. M0 stage (p < 0.001), N2 vs. N0 and N1 stage (p < 0.001), and T4 vs. lower T stage (p < 0.001) were associated with significantly higher serum NAP1L1 levels in gastric cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed for the first time that serum levels for NAP1L1 were overexpressed in the gastric cancer, as also correlated with the disease progression. NAP1L1 seems to be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer, providing clinically important information on early diagnosis and risk stratification.

This study aimed to investigate serum levels for nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in patients with gastric cancer in relation to healthy controls and tumor pathology.It was demonstrated for the first time that serum levels for NAP1L1 were overexpressed in the gastric cancer, as also correlated with the disease progression.These findings seem to implicate the potential role of serum NAP1L1 as a distinct diagnostic and prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer, offering clinically important information on early diagnosis and risk stratification.

Effects of 3.5-GHz radiofrequency radiation on energy-regulatory hormone levels in the blood and adipose tissue.

In recent years exposure of living beings to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from wireless equipment has increased. In this study, we investigated the effects of 3.5-GHz RFR on hormones that regulate energy metabolism in the body. Twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups: healthy sham (n = 7), healthy RFR (n = 7), diabetic sham (n = 7), and diabetic RFR (n = 7). Over a month, each group spent 2 h/day in a Plexiglas carousel. The rats in the experimental group were exposed to RFR, but the sham groups were not. At the end of the experiment, blood and adipose tissues were collected from euthanized rats. Total antioxidant, total oxidant, hydrogen peroxide, ghrelin, nesfatin-1, and irisin were determined. Insulin expression in pancreatic tissues was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Whole body specific absorption rate was 37 mW/kg. For the parameters analyzed in blood and fat, the estimated effect size varied within the ranges of 0.215-0.929 and 0.503-0.839, respectively. The blood and adipose nesfatin-1 (p = 0.002), blood and pancreatic insulin are decreased, (p = 0.001), gherelin (p = 0.020), irisin (p = 0.020), and blood glucose (p = 0.040) are increased in healthy and diabetic rats exposed to RFR. While nesfatin-1 are negatively correlated with oxidative stress, hyperglycemia and insulin, ghrelin and irisin are positively correlated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. Thus, RFR may have deleterious effects on energy metabolism, particularly in the presence of diabetes.

Effects of curcumin on sperm quality, lipid profile, antioxidant activity and histopathological changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

In this study, the effect of low-dose curcumin on sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, lipid profile, biochemical antioxidant parameters and the histopathological structure of the testis in diabetic male rats were evaluated. In the study, 28 male Wistar albino rats weighing 300-370 g and aged 8-10 weeks were used. Four groups of equal numbers have been created. Diabetes mellitus was induced with 45 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) in seven rats. Curcumin was administered to the rats in curcumin and the diabetes + curcumin group by gavage for 15 days at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Then, the rats were sacrificed. Blood samples and testis tissues were obtained, while the rats were under anaesthesia. Glucose, lipid profile, reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, biochemical antioxidant parameters and histopathological examination of the testis were performed. Abnormal sperm ratio, malondialdehyde, glucose, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels and caspase-3 expression were increased in diabetic rats, while the sperm motility and intensity and reduced glutathione, catalase and testosterone levels were decreased. When low-dose curcumin (10 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats, we found that curcumin significantly increased sperm motility and density, and decreased abnormal sperm rate according to the diabetic group. Moreover, curcumin significantly suppressed the lipid profile and increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels compared to the diabetic group. On testicular damage and decreased reproductive hormones caused by diabetes, curcumin may have a protective effect with indirect effect of glycaemic control by curcumin.

Effects of morning and nocturnal soccer matches on levels of some trace elements in young trained males.

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate effect of morning and nocturnal soccer matches induced metabolic stress on plasma levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Twenty male footballers performed two soccer matches in morning and at night on different days. Blood samples were taken before and after match. The levels of Fe, Zn and Cu were measured through an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metabolic stress was evaluated by altered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels that measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. In morning and at nocturnal soccer matches, levels of MDA (36% and 27%), Fe (37.4% and 38.9%) and Cu (34.8% and 26.8%) were all increased in all subjects, respectively. However, Zn level decreased -4.5 % in morning (n=10 subjects) and -9.4% at nocturnal (n=12 subjects) soccer matches. In addition, Cu/Zn ratio increased significantly 46.6% in morning and 36.6% at nocturnal soccer matches. Soccer match has significant effects on levels of MDA, Fe and Cu but not Zn levels. The results of this study showed that morning soccer match significantly alters levels of MDA and Cu and Cu/Zn ratio compared to nocturnal soccer match.

Nesfatin-1 and irisin levels in response to the soccer matches performed in morning, afternoon and at night in young trained male subjects.

This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of acute soccer matches performed in morning, afternoon and at night on both nesfatin-1 and irisin levels in trained subjects. Total of 20 male subjects performed in soccer matches at three different times of day: morning, afternoon, and night. Pre- and post-match venous blood samples were taken, and levels of both nesfatin-1 and irisin were analysed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Following all matches, the subjects' irisin levels increased significantly in all subjects (p < 0.0001). Nesfatin-1 levels were also increased after the matches; however, the increase was statistically significant for morning (P=0.01) and night-time (p=0.009). The subjects' nesfatin-1 levels did not increase in all subjects and decrease of nesfatin-1 levels observed in some subjects after matches. This study finds that soccer matches performed different workout times have strong stimulatory effects on irisin levels in all subjects but nesfatin-1 response varied among the subjects and it did not change significantly in afternoon match.

Variations in leptin, nesfatin-1 and irisin levels induced by aerobic exercise in young trained and untrained male subjects.

The aims of this study were to investigate the impacts of acute aerobic exercise on circulating levels of hormones associated with energy metabolism, namely leptin, nesfatin-1 and irisin, in trained and untrained male subjects and to determine whether the timing of the exercise (i.e. morning or night) amplified these impacts. Thirty trained (19.2±0.7 years) and 30 untrained (19.5±0.6 years) male subjects performed two aerobic running exercises (3 days between tests) to 64-76% of the subjects' maximal heart rate for about 30 min. Pre- and post-exercise venous blood samples were taken and analysed for leptin, nesfatin-1 and irisin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Paired samples and independent samples t-tests were used to analyse data. Irisin levels increased in all the subjects (p<0.001). In both groups, nesfatin-1 levels increased significantly after the night-time exercise (p<0.05). Importantly, leptin and nesfatin-1 levels varied among the trained and untrained groups: Both leptin and nesfatin-1 levels increased in 4 (13%) and 12 (40%) subjects, respectively, after the morning exercises, and they increased in 9 (30%) and 10 (33%) subjects, respectively, after the night-time exercise. They decreased in 5 (16%) and 7 (23%) subjects, respectively, after the morning exercise and in 6 (20%) and 3 (10%) subjects, respectively, after the night-time exercise. Exercise may result in increased energy consumption by altering irisin levels. However, due to variations among individuals, increasing leptin and nesfatin-1 levels by reducing food intake may not be applicable.

Evaluating the impact of metabolic and cognitive stress on ghrelin and nesfatin-1 hormones in patients with diabetes and diabetic depression.

Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin, initially recognised as hormones involved in regulating energy, have emerged as crucial players with vital functions in various human body systems. In this study, we conducted a comparative assessment of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin responses in individuals experiencing metabolic stress due to diabetes, those with depressive diabetes characterised by both metabolic and mental stress, and healthy controls. We collected blood samples from a total of 90 participants, consisting of 30 people with type II diabetes mellitus (DM), 30 people with type II DM and major depressive disorders, and 30 healthy individuals. Diabetes was diagnosed based on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, while depression was assessed using DSM-V criteria. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated, and serum ghrelin and nesfatin-1 levels were measured using ELISA kits. We observed statistically significant decreases in nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels in the diabetic group (p < 0.0001). However, in the depressive diabetic group, nesfatin-1 levels increased significantly, while ghrelin levels decreased further. The nesfatin-1 to ghrelin ratio decreased in the diabetic group but increased significantly in the depressive diabetic group (p < 0.0001). Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin hormones exhibit parallel impacts in response to metabolic stress, but nesfatin-1 demonstrates contrasting actions compared to ghrelin when mental stress is added to metabolic stress. The findings of this study suggest that nesfatin-1 and ghrelin hormones may play active roles as protective, prognostic, and even etiological factors in various stress situations, particularly those involving mental stress, in addition to their known functions in regulating energy.

Evaluating the energy regulatory hormones of nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin were originally introduced as energy regulatory hormones. However, the results of studies revealed that these hormones may also have important roles in inflammation, immune function and neurological impairment. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by progressive inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss in the central nervous system. We aimed to evaluate nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin hormones in patients with MS accompanied by inflammation and central nervous system dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 110 subjects (65 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 45 healthy individuals as control group) were included in this study. Venous blood samples were collected between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Serum concentrations of all markers were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay methods. The unpaired t-test was used to investigate between-group differences. RESULTS: The nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin levels were found to be significantly lower in the MS group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the present study, circulating nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin levels were decreased in patients with MS. However, the pathogenesis of MS and the underlying molecular mechanism of these hormones in MS have still not been elucidated. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and longer periods are required to obtain satisfactory information. In conclusion, the energy regulatory hormones of nesfatin-1, irisin, adropin and preptin may have potential for the development of new therapeutic targets for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The Utility of Serum Vasorin Levels as a Novel Potential Biomarker for Early Detection of Colon Cancer.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the utility of vasorin, a newly discovered transmembrane protein, as a novel biomarker in the early detection of colon cancer. Methods A total of 80 patients aged 55-70 years, diagnosed with colon cancer and followed up in our clinics, and 50 healthy volunteer blood donors were included in the study. Participants' demographics such as age, gender, and vasorin levels were recorded and compared between the patient and control groups. In addition, primary tumor status (pT) values N and T stages of the tumors were studied in the patient group. All patients included in the study were pathologically confirmed by colonoscopy plus biopsy and postoperative histopathologic examination. Results The mean age was found as 64.59±3.70 (min-max: 55-70) years old in the patient group and 63.56±3.07 (min-max: 57-70) years. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding demographics (p>0.05). Serum Vasorin levels were higher in patients with colon cancer than in the control group (p<0.001). Serum Vasorin levels were higher among patients with advanced disease and related to the clinical stage of the locally advanced tumor.  Conclusion Our findings revealed that serum vasorin levels are upregulated in patients with colon cancer. Raised vasorin levels may be a non-invasive biomarker beneficial for early detection and prediction of colon cancer prognosis. In addition, vasorin levels further rose as the disease advanced to higher TNM (tumor (T), nodes (N), and metastases (M)) stages. Further comprehensive studies are needed to draw more evident conclusions and generalize our results.

The outstanding beneficial roles of irisin disorders.

Depression is a widely observed psychiatric disorder that affects a quite large number of people all around the world. A major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial disease that IS associated with fluctuations in appetite, body weight, and energy situations in addition to serious mood problems. The aim of this review is to investigate a possible link between energy regulatory hormones of irisin and depressive disorders. Irisin is a hormone that plays a significant role in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Irisin was also reported to play significant roles in the central nervous system. In the literature there are reports indicating a beneficial antidepressant role of irisin in MDD. It should be emphasised that the antidepressive effects of exercise could be the result of exercise-induced increased hormones of irisin.

Nidogen-2: A new biomarker in colon cancer patients.

AIM: In the present study, we followed Nidogen-2 levels and clinicopathological parameters of patients with colon cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients (F/M, 43/45; Mean age ± SD, 57.86 ± 1.78 years) were included. The results of serum Nidogen-2 levels were shown with respect to stage, gender, age, and metastasis. Nidogen-2 levels in the sera of colon cancer patients and healthy donors were analyzed with ELISA. RESULTS: The expression levels were significantly higher in patients (1010.8 ±184.36 pg/mL) than in healthy subjects (51.85 ± 1.44 pg/mL; p<0.001). Moreover, the Nidogen-2 expression significantly increased in the clinical stages of colon cancer (p<0.01). The Nidogen-2 levels did not vary by patient age or gender. DISCUSSION: Under normal conditions, Nidogen-2 is a basal membrane protein. Nidogen-2 is primarily expressed in the extracellular matrix. Nidogen-2 has been defined as a major means to analyze the molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Besides its important functions, it has been hypothesized that secreted Nidogen-2 may be a diagnostic biomarker for cancer detection. CONLUSION: These findings suggest that increased expression of Nidogen-2 may have great pathological importance in the development of colon cancer and may also show a diagnostic value for colon cancer. KEY WORDS: Angiogenesis, Metastasis, Nidogen-2.

Effects of 3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation on ghrelin, nesfatin-1, and irisin level in diabetic and healthy brains.

Diabetes, mobile phone use, and obesity have increased simultaneously in recent years. The radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from mobile phones is largely absorbed in the heads of users. With 5 G, which has started to be used in some countries without the necessary precautions being taken, the amount of RFR to which living things are exposed will increase. In this study, the changes in energy homeostasis and redox balance caused by 5 G (3.5 GHz, GSM-modulated) were explored. The effects of RFR on the brains of diabetic and healthy rats were investigated and histopathological analysis was performed. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into 4 groups as sham, RFR, diabetes, and RFR+diabetes groups (n = 7). The rats in each group were kept in a plexiglass carousel for 2 h a day for 30 days. While the rats in the experimental groups were exposed to RFR for 2 h a day, the rats in the sham group were kept under the same experimental conditions but with the radiofrequency generator turned off. At the end of the experiment, brain tissues were collected from euthanized rats. Total antioxidant (TAS), total oxidant (TOS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ghrelin, nesfatin-1, and irisin levels were determined. In addition, histopathological analyses of the brain tissues were performed. The specific absorption rate in the gray matter of the brain was calculated as 323 mW/kg and 195 mW/kg for 1 g and 10 g averaging, respectively. After RFR exposure among diabetic and healthy rats, decreased TAS levels and increased TOS and H2O2 levels were observed in brain tissues. RFR caused increases in ghrelin and irisin and a decrease in nesfatin-1 in the brain. It was also observed that RFR increased the number of degenerated neurons in the hippocampus. Our results indicate that 3.5 GHz RFR causes changes in the energy metabolism and appetite of both healthy and diabetic rats. Thus, 5 G may not be innocent in terms of its biological effects, especially in the presence of diabetes.

B7-H3: A Useful Emerging Diagnostic Marker for Colon Cancer.

Background: Colon cancer is the second most common malignancy causing the majority of cancer-related deaths. B7-H3 concentrations have drawn major interest as possible diagnostic biomarkers of cancer. The aim of this study was to measure the preoperative serum B7-H3 levels and to determine those that are replaced in colon cancer. Method: We measured preoperative serum B7-H3 concentrations of 90 patients aged 57-69 years diagnosed with colon cancer and 50 age-matched healthy individuals. B7-H3 levels were determined using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were categorized by stage based on the TNM staging system, and the serum levels of B7-H3 were compared between patients with different TNM stages. Result: No statistically significant difference was found between the patient and control groups in terms of age and gender. Preoperative serum B7-H3 levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with colon cancer than in the healthy group (p < 0.001). Preoperative serum B7-H3 concentration of the stage IV patients was significantly higher than those of the patients with stage I and stage II disease. In addition, higher serum B7-H3 levels were associated with lymph node status and distant metastasis in colon cancer. Conclusion: We showed that B7-H3 is highly expressed in colon cancer and can be used as a candidate diagnostic biomarker and a potential target in colon cancer in future.

Evaluating the Levels of Nesfatin-1 and Ghrelin Hormones in Patients with Moderate and Severe Major Depressive Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the importance of nesfatin-1, acylated and des-acylated ghrelin, which are known as energy regulatory hormones, in patients with moderate and severe major depression disorders (MDD). METHODS: Thirty patients with a moderate degree of MDD and, 30 with a severe degree of MDD were used as participants in this study. Thirty subjects without depression were enrolled as a control group. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to classify the patients with MDD. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting. The plasma nesfatin-1, acylated ghrelin and des-acylated ghrelin levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: The nesfatin-1, the acylated ghrelin and the des-acylated ghrelin levels were found to be significantly higher in severe MDD (3.92±0.4 ng/mL; 88.56±4.1 pg/mL; 962.76±67 pg/mL) as compared to moderate MDD (2.91±0.5 ng/mL; 77.63±4.19 pg/mL; 631.16±35 pg/mL), or the control (1.01±0.3 ng/mL; 58.60±9.00 pg/mL; 543.13±62 pg/mL), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although nesfatin-1 and ghrelin are known as adversely affecting the hormones involving the regulation of appetite and food intake, they all increase in depressive patients and are even associated with the severity of the disease. In clinical medicine, the evaluation of the role of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin in endocrine and neu-roendocrine regulation of major metabolic functions is an important key mechanism in solving numerous diseases associated with endocrine and neuroendocrine disturbance. Increased levels of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin may also be important criteria in describing the prognoses of the patients and the effectiveness of the treatments.

Evaluation of ghrelin, nesfatin-1 and irisin levels of serum and brain after acute or chronic pentylenetetrazole administrations in rats using sodium valproate.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aim to reveal the alterations (due to seizure) in the serum and brain levels of nesfatin-1, ghrelin and irisin after acute or chronic pentylenetetrazole administrations in rats using sodium valproate. METHODS: 35 Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, Acute Pentylenetetrazole group (APTZ), Acute Pentylenetetrazole+ Valproate group (AVPA), PTZ kindling group (PTZk) and PTZ kindling+ Valproate group (KVPA). Serum and brain levels of ghrelin, nesfatin-1 and FNDC5/irisin were determined with ELISA. RESULTS: Serum levels of ghrelin were significantly decreased in APTZ and PTZk groups compared to the control (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant decrease in brain levels of ghrelin in all groups compared to the control group (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant increase in serum nesfatin-1 levels in the APTZ and PTZk groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). Serum levels of nesfatin-1 were similar to the control group in both the acute and the chronic treatment groups. There was a statistically significant increase in brain nesfatin-1 levels of the KVPA group compared to the control (p < 0.05). Serum and brain levels of FNDC5/irisin were found significantly increased in APTZ, AVPA and PTZk groups compared to the control (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant alterations were detected in the serum and brain levels of these three peptides in both the PTZ-induced chronic epilepsy model and acute seizure model. The results of this study may suggest that the increase in FNDC5/irisin and nesfatin-1 levels, and the decrease in ghrelin levels may contribute to seizure pathophysiology. However, further studies are needed in order to confirm our hypothesis.

Beneficial effects of training at the anaerobic threshold in addition to pharmacotherapy on weight loss, body composition, and exercise performance in women with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effects of weight loss achieved through orlistat therapy alone or a combination of orlistat and an aerobic exercise training program on aerobic fitness and body composition in obese females. METHODS: Twenty-eight obese patients were randomly assigned to receive 12-week treatment with hypocaloric diet-orlistat or diet-orlistat-exercise. Each participant performed an incremental ramp exercise test every 4 weeks to measure aerobic fitness. Fourteen participants performed continuous exercise (approximately 45 minutes per session) at a work rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold three times per week. RESULTS: A decrease in the fat mass to body weight ratio of 3.8% (P=0.006) was observed at the end of the 12 weeks in the orlistat group, while a decrease of 9.5% (P=0.001) was seen in the orlistat-exercise group. Maximal exercise capacity increased by 46.5% in the orlistat-exercise group and by 19.5% in the orlistat group. CONCLUSION: While orlistat therapy resulted in an improvement in body composition and aerobic fitness at the end of the 12-week period, its combination with exercise training provided improvements in the same parameters within the first 4 weeks of the study. These additional beneficial effects of combining aerobic exercise with orlistat therapy are important with regards to obesity-associated risk factors.